American Playwrights News

Tyler Perry vs. Spike Lee. Madea vs. Malcolm X. The debate continues... 'How should African- Americans be defined in the media?'

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, is proud to announce the sixth and final production of its upcoming 2011/2012 Season. Completing the theater company's line-up is the New York premiere of MAPLE & VINE, a new play by Jordan Harrison (Doris to Darlene at Playwrights Horizons, Act a Lady, Amazons and Their Men), directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman (The Thugs, Stunning, Naked Angels' This Wide Night, Mr. Harrison's Act a Lady).

Two River Theater Company announces 'Crossing Borders,' a four-day festival of plays written by Mexican-American playwrights, as well as music and conversations.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater today announced its roster of plays for 2011-12, the award-winning company's 17th season. The all world-premiere season will feature new works by Dan Klores, Dael Orlandersmith, Daniel Talbott, José Rivera, David Adjmi and a play written by Academy-Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network).

Marin Theatre Company presents SEVEN GUITARS by August Wilson

Wendy C. Goldberg, Artistic Director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center?s National Playwrights Conference, today announced the eight directors for plays previously selected for its 47th season.

The ReGroup Theatre, in conjunction with the playwrights' families, proudly announces the publication of The 'Lost' Group Theatre Plays: Volume One, featuring 1931- by Claire and Paul Sifton and Success Story and Gentlewoman both by John Howard Lawson.

In the center of the New York City Theater District, Tony Award-winning set designer Christine Jones, in association with LOT-EK® Architects, True Love Productions and Times Square Arts, presents "Theatre for One", a four foot by eight foot portable theater with one performer playing to one audience member.

Laurence Luckinbill, award-winning actor and Abingdon Theatre Company Honorary Board Member, will read his one-person show CLARENCE DARROW TONIGHT! at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street) on June 19 at 7:00pm; all tickets are $25 and include a wine reception following the reading.

This holiday season, America's #1 Christmas movie comes to life on stage as a hilarious holiday musical. A Christmas Story, The Musical! features a bright holiday score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Joseph Robinette based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite. Acclaimed director/choreographer Warren Carlyle (Broadway's Finian's Rainbow, Follies at The Kennedy Center, An Evening With Hugh Jackman) will helm the production. Peter Billingsley, who starred as Ralphie in the original 1983 film, serves as a producer for the holiday tour.

Native Voices at the Autry, America's leading Native American theater company, continues its tradition of excellence developing works by new and established Native American playwrights at its highly regarded PLAYWRIGHTS RETREAT AND FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, culminating in public readings of four new works on Thursday, June 16, 7:30 pm, Friday, June 17, 7:30 pm, and Saturday, June 18, 1 pm and 4 pm, at the Autry National Center's Wells Fargo Theater.

From the Lark Play Development's BareBones® Program that supported Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP and Rajiv Joseph's BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, the Lark announces a BareBones® presentation of NIGHT OVER ERZINGA by Adriana Sevahn Nichols, directed by Daniella Topol.

Kumu Kahua Theatre ends its 40th-anniversary season with a bang. Opening on May 26 is a new play from Edward Sakamoto, one of Hawai‘i's most notable-and recognizable-theater voices. He returns with It's All Relative, a humorous exploration of marriage, identity and fading dreams told through three generations of an O‘ahu family in 1995.

Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced initial details for its 2011 special online Auction in connection with its annual Spring Gala Benefit. Bidding for the auction, which will feature an eclectic array of items and unique opportunities, begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 26 at 8AM at www.biddingforgood/playwrightshorizons. Online bidding will continue for three weeks through Wednesday, May 18 (with items staggered to close at 8PM and 9PM).

Kumu Kahua Theatre ends its 40th-anniversary season with a bang. Opening on May 26 is a new play from Edward Sakamoto, one of Hawai‘i's most notable-and recognizable-theater voices. He returns with It's All Relative, a humorous exploration of marriage, identity and fading dreams told through three generations of an O‘ahu family in 1995.

Transport Group Theatre Company, the winner of a special Drama Desk Award and two OBIE Awards, has announced casting and dates for the New York premiere of Lysistrata Jones, a new musical with a book by Douglas Carter Beane; music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn; directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces Polly Carl will join the company in a new position as Director of the American Voices New Play Institute (AVNPI) beginning July 1, 2011.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces Polly Carl will join the company in a new position as Director of the American Voices New Play Institute (AVNPI) beginning July 1, 2011. As director, Carl will develop and direct all existing staff and activities of the Institute, as well as support the artistic planning, production, development and study of new work by Arena Stage. This position reports to Arena Stage Associate Artistic Director David Dower.

Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced additional details for a second round of major items for its 2011 special online Auction.

Marin Theatre Company Presents EDWARD ALBEE'S TINY ALICE 6/2-26